Motion Control

MOV.ai and Velodyne deliver a complete navigation package for ROS-based AMR solutions.

MIT developed a high-speed flight-planning algorithm that combines simulations and experiments, in a way that minimizes the number of experiments required to identify fast and safe flight paths.

The Series A supports the launch of the Archimedes Drive, which relies on friction instead of gear teeth to transmit torque.

Sarcos Robotics and T-Mobile announce a collaboration to integrate T-Mobile 5G into the Sarcos Guardian XT robot.

The Profinet communication protocol is designed to meet the demanding conditions within an industrial environments.

ATI is a leading developer of end-of-arm tooling, including robotic changing systems, force/torque sensors, and collision sensors for industrial, collaborative, and medical robotic applications.

Acquisition is expected to help Novanta expand into automation and robotic applications through advanced motion control solutions.

Personal, electric VTOL aircraft is about to become a reality with the upcoming launch of the Archer Maker. Launch details in the story.

Realtime Robotics developed a processor that can quickly create collision-free motion plans for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles.

ACEINNA announces the general availability of the OpenIMU335RI, a rugged inertial measurement unit with CAN and RS232 interfaces. The device includes three independent 3-Axis accelerometers and 3-Axis Gyros

The new MC 3001 are unhoused versions of the FAULHABER motion controllers and, by means of the integrated output stage with optimized current measurement, can control dc micromotors, linear dc servomotors or brushless dc motors from the company’s product line from 6 to 30 mm. With an overall height from 2.6 mm and a format…

Performance Motion Devices (PMD) recently debuted its new ION/CME N-Series Digital Drives, new members of the ION Digital Drive family that provide high-performance motion control, network connectivity and amplification. The N-Series ION digital drives feature a patented, ultra-rugged PCB-mountable package with three power output levels – 75, 300, and 1,000 W. All ION/CME N-Series Digital…

Packaging operations continue to embrace automation as a way to reduce labor costs and workplace injuries while improving the efficiency and quality of packaged goods. But the use of automation isn’t evenly distributed, with large consumer packaged goods producers running with more automation than smaller packaging firms. One area ripe for increased automation are operations…

Cartesian control of UR’s cobots is now available via ROS. Beta testing of this new code is just beginning.

Outer space is unforgiving. This is why precision drives embarking on a trip to other planets need to meet extremely high quality standards. Every Mars drive from maxon is based on a catalog product and is modified for the specific mission. That’s because the DC motors, gearheads, and encoders face brutal conditions during liftoff, the…

Army-funded researchers discovered how to make materials capable of self-propulsion, allowing materials to move without motors or hands. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered how to make materials that snap and reset themselves, only relying upon energy flow from their environment. This research could enable future military robots to move from their own energy. “This…

SICK has released its DBS60I-W, an IP69K-rated incremental encoder with added ingress protection from a new, patented deflector shield. SICK said the encoder can withstand frequent high-pressure chemical washdowns in demanding food and beverage applications, for example. The SICK DBS60I-W washdown encoder delivers the high-resolution performance of SICK’s DBS60 incremental encoder but in a IP69K-rated,…

Yaskawa is tapping Realtime Robotics’ motion planning technology to improve a variety of materials handling and fulfillment applications, including piece picking and mixed case palletizing. Yaskawa said using Realtime’s technology enables its robot cells to be deployed and used more efficiently. The first of these mixed pallet robot cells will soon start being installed at…

The FM060-25-CM is part of a new breed of micro-sized, high-power servo drives, immediately available from RBR50 company Advanced Motion Controls. Rated to output 25-A continuous and 50-A peak, this fully featured digital servo drive is small enough to fit in the tightest locations. It’s well suited for mobile and portable applications, including automated mobile…

maxon Group and Fourier Intelligence today announced they are entering into a global strategic partnership. Fourier Intelligence, a Shanghai-based  startup founded in 2015, will use maxon’s precision drive systems for the development of its rehabilitation robotics systems. Fourier already uses maxon’s BLDC motors in its ExoMotus X2 exoskeleton, a powered lower-limb exoskeleton. maxon will now be…

maxon’s new IDX compact integrated servo gearmotor + drive combines a powerful, brushless EC-i motor and an EPOS4 positioning controller, which can be complemented with a maxon planetary gearhead when required. This integrated motor features high torque density, high efficiency, maintenance-free components, and a high-quality industrial housing providing IP65 protection. The IDX also features configurable…

Researchers are embracing chaos and nonlinear physics to create insectlike gaits for tiny robots — complete with a locomotion controller to provide a brain-machine interface. The group now describes using a system of three nonlinear differential equations as a building block for central pattern generators.